2008 JEEP PATRIOT maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE...............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE...............................73
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL................................... 167
5STARTING AND OPERATING................................................. 235
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES...............................................331
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE............................................... 345
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES.................................................. 399
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE..........................................407
10INDEX....................................................................417
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INTRODUCTION
This Owner’s Manual has been prepared with the assis-
tance of service and engineering specialists to acquaint
you with the operation and maintenance of your vehicle.
It is supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet
and various customer-oriented documents. You are
urged to read these publications carefully. Following the
instructions and recommendations in this manual will
help assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your authorized
dealer knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained
technicians and genuine Moparparts, and is interested
in your satisfaction.
ROLLOVER WARNING
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate
than other types of vehicles. This vehicle has a higher
ground clearance and a higher center of gravity than
many passenger cars. It is capable of performing better in
a wide variety of off-road applications. Driven in an
unsafe manner, all vehicles can go out of control. Because
of the higher center of gravity, if this vehicle is out of
control it may roll over when some other vehicles may
not.
Do not attempt sharp turns, abrupt maneuvers, or other
unsafe driving actions that can cause loss of vehicle
control. Failure to operate this vehicle safely may result
in an accident, rollover of the vehicle, and severe or fatal
injury. Drive carefully.
4 INTRODUCTION

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 mi (500 km). After
the initial 60 mi (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80
or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy-conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
Refer to “Engine Oil” under “Maintenance Procedures”
in Section 7. NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MIN-
ERAL OILS MUST NEVER BE USED.A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing CO follow
the safety tips below.
Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in or
out of the area.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69
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▫Using HomeLink.....................147
▫Reprogramming A Single
HomeLinkButton....................148
▫Security............................148
▫Troubleshooting Tips...................148
▫General Information...................149

Power Sunroof — If Equipped.............149
▫Opening The Sunroof..................150
▫Closing The Sunroof...................150
▫Pinch Protect Feature...................151
▫Pinch Protect Override.................151
▫Venting Sunroof — Express..............151
▫Sunshade Operation...................152▫Wind Buffeting.......................152
▫Sunroof Maintenance...................152
▫Ignition Off Operation..................152

Electrical Power Outlets — If Equipped.......152
▫Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off.......154

Console Features.......................155

Cargo Area Features.....................156
▫Cargo Light/Removable Self Recharging
Flashlight — If Equipped................156
▫Retractable Cargo Area Cover —
If Equipped.........................158
▫Removable Load Floor..................159
▫Cargo Tie-Down Loops.................160
▫Fold Down Speakers — If Equipped........161
76 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Sunshade Operation
The sunshade can be opened manually. However, the
sunshade will open automatically as the sunroof opens.
NOTE:The sunshade cannot be closed if the sunroof is
open.
Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter-type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the rear windows open, open the front and rear windows
together to minimize the buffeting. If the buffeting occurs
with the sunroof open, adjust the sunroof opening to
minimize the buffeting or open any window.
Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to clean
the glass panel.
Ignition Off Operation
The sunroof will also operate up to 45 seconds after the
ignition has been turned off. The sunroof operation will
be canceled if either of the front doors are opened during
the 45 second time period.
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS — IF EQUIPPED
There is a standard 12 Volt power outlet in the instrument
panel and a 115 Volt (150 Watts Maximum) power outlet
in the center console on certain models for added conve-
nience. These outlets can power cell phones, electronics
and other low power devices.
NOTE:Due to overload protection the inverter will shut
down if the power rating is exceeded.
152 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Sales Code REC — AM/FM/CD (6–Disc)
Radio With Navigation System.............217
▫Operating Instructions — Satellite Radio —
If Equipped.........................217
▫REC Setting The Clock.................218

Satellite Radio — If Equipped..............220
▫System Activation.....................220
▫Electronic Serial Number/Sirius Identification
Number (ESN/SID)....................221
▫Selecting Satellite Mode In REF, RAQ, And
RAK Radios.........................222
▫Selecting A Channel...................222
▫Storing And Selecting Preset Channels......223
▫Using The PTY (Program Type) Button — If
Equipped...........................223
▫PTY Button Scan......................223▫PTY Button Seek......................223
▫Satellite Antenna......................223
▫Reception Quality.....................224

Remote Sound System Controls —
If Equipped...........................224
▫Radio Operation......................225
▫CD Player..........................225

CD/DVD Maintenance...................226

Radio Operation And Cellular Phones........226

Climate Controls.......................227
▫Climate Controls......................227
▫Air Conditioning.....................230
▫Air Filtration System — If Equipped........231
▫Operating Tips.......................232
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 169
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22. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s
handling and stopping ability.Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
178 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

U.S. Federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
Change Oil Message
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “Change Oil” message will flash in
the instrument cluster odometer for approximately 12
seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate the
next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style. Unless reset, this message
will continue to display each time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON/RUN position. To turn off the messagetemporarily, press and release the Trip Odometer button
on the instrument cluster. To reset the oil change indica-
tor system (after performing the scheduled maintenance)
refer to the following procedure.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.Do not
start the engine.
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three
times within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary repeat this procedure.
25. OFF ROAD Indicator Light — If Equipped
The symbol illuminates (is armed) when the 4WD lock
switch is activated and the transmission range indicator
is in LOW or REVERSE position.
180 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL